CBS Sports and Tony Romo have mutually parted ways following his July drunk-driving arrest. JJ Watt will remain the network’s lead analyst.
CBS Sports and Tony Romo have mutually agreed to part ways, the network announced Friday, ending the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback’s nine-year run as its lead NFL game analyst following his arrest earlier this year on charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. “We thank Tony for his contributions over the past nine years and wish him the best moving forward,” CBS Sports said in a statement.
Romo was arrested July 23 after a traffic stop in Milwaukee, with court records showing an arresting officer detected a “strong odor of an alcoholic beverage” on his breath and that he performed poorly on field sobriety tests. He was booked on a first-offense OWI charge and released. Romo pleaded no contest on Sept. 1 and had his driving privileges revoked for six months; he was also ordered to complete an alcohol assessment program. In a statement at the time, Romo said he had developed a reliance on pain medication following multiple back surgeries related to injuries from his playing career, and said he was working with doctors to address his health.
Romo had been on indefinite leave from CBS since his arrest, with JJ Watt filling in alongside play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson for the network’s top NFL broadcast team; Watt will now continue in that role permanently, and CBS said its other broadcast teams, including Ian Eagle, Ross Tucker and Evan Washburn, remain unchanged. Romo, 46, had four years and roughly $72 million remaining on the 10-year, $180 million contract he signed with CBS in 2020, and The Athletic reported the two sides reached a financial settlement as part of the separation. In his own statement, Romo said he was proud of his nine years at CBS and planned to take time off to focus on his health and family before considering his next opportunity.
This report is based on information from ESPN, Yahoo Sports, NFL.com and Parade.